Renault disappointed by EV sales 09 | 11 | 2012

RENAULT HAS ADMITTED sales of its electric vehicles are disappointing. The news will come as no surprise to the majority of Scottish car owners who question the current viability of electric-powered cars

“Overall sales are running well below expectations,” Renault sales and marketing director Stephen Norman said. “The volume coming through is lower than we’d thought.”

But he highlighted that sales of its two-seater Twizy is outselling the Fluence saloon by 4:1 in the UK in the brand's electric car offering.

Twizy wraps up for winter

Across the UK in the last five months, 252 Twizys have been sold, compared with 64 Fluence ZEs. Overall, the Kangoo ZE commercial van is ahead on 279 units. And Norman confirmed the picture is the same across Europe.

“The Twizy is a big success, and is selling in line with expectations,” he continued. And he believes the new Zoe EV hatchback, which goes on sale next year and will have “an effective 100-mile range”, will deliver a more positive result.

“Because of its low centre of gravity, the Zoe (pictured) has extraordinary roadholding,” Norman explained. “And it has demonic acceleration that’s delivered in absolute silence.”

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Jim McGill